Need some help...again. After a torturous week of carpooling with my roomie this past week, 160 miles r/t, I absolutely need to fix my truck.

Here's what happened. I have a 2004 Discovery with 120k miles. Last month, I blew a radiator hose (one coming out of overfill tank). I fixed it. On Monday, on my way to work, I saw my temp going up. I immediately stopped in a shopping center, let the truck cool, went in to a supermarket and got coolant, came out, topped off coolant, which seemed very low. Looked under truck to see a pretty steady leak. My assumption was that I probably blew another hose, and should have changed them all when I blew one last month.

I got more coolant, filled it, took it back home (about 7 miles) with temp slowly heading up, with a stop, cool down and refill once to assure it didn't overheat. Once home, I searched for a hose leak, and didn't find one. With limited site through the check plate, finally got the big pan off the bottom. I was able to see that it appeared to be leaking from the bottom drivers side of the water pump. After much dismantling I opened water pump to find an all but disintegrated gasket. Pump appeared fine. So, I assumed, and conferred with a gearhead friend, that it was the water pump gasket. Down time and labor, but luckily not a huge expense. After some belt frustration and several posts, I was able to re-assemble it. Poured coolant in to test it, and practically cried when I saw it leaking back out. Steady drips start shortly after I pour coolant in, without the engine running.

I got under it again, consulted my gearhead friend, and now think it is the timing cover gasket.

I need some help determining if that is a reasonable assumption, and if it is something I can fix myself. I have limited tools, in a garage, and not a lot of money.

Some of you may know me from previous posts - I have Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer....so money is unfortunately very tight right now. I just returned to work after almost a year of unsuccessful treatment because of financial woes. I sold my 2nd car a few months ago, so am unfortunately very dependent on my Disco. Quite honestly, this has me **** scared... if I can't fix it myself, I really don't know where to take it, or how I'll afford it.

That said, any advice would be much appreciated! If you don't think timing cover gasket is the problem, how exactly can I find out what it is? I find it really hard to see under there...and have been trying to "feel" what is wet to trace leak. Can it still be the water pump?

If this repair is beyond me, any ideas of where to take it? I'm near New Hope, PA, and someone here sent me to Tony in Exton for my last large repair... I loved him and his rates are reasonable, but he's 50 miles away, and I'd have to get a tow truck to get it to him - not an expense I can absorb.

And please keep in mind, my "mechanical expertise" is the sum total of "I know some stuff because I have to - I own a Discovery..." My knowledge is limited, so please, I need plain English. I'm pretty handy, but I like diagrams/cell phone pics and real simplistic instructions because I'm not all that confident in doing things.

One last thing: when I finally fix whatever the problem is (assuming I can!) how do I get the steering damper back on? Do I have to rent a tool of some sort? I detached one side in order to get the belly pan off...maybe that wasn't such a good idea....

I really appreciate all your help! I'm home today trying to get a game plan together...that is, figure out what the leak is/order parts, or figure out a Plan B.

Full of anxiety in New Hope,

Marni

 

timing chain cover gasket failure is a common problem, often misdiagnosed as a water pump.
Rent borrow a pressure tester it is the only way to know for sure.
it is basically the same job you did only a dozen more bolts,
you will have to drop the oil pan in order to get the timing cover off.

with your milage you may want to look at replacing the timing chain and oil pump while your there

If you look at the posts from yesterday you will find someone going thu the exact same problem

here's the link https://landroverforums.com/forum/di...-gasket-59908/

ps my P-38 came from new Hope Pa.

 

Thank you, I'll check yesterdays posts.

I'm glad it is a common misdiagnosis, makes me feel as if I am headed in the right direction with "timing cover gasket". I'll call around about renting a pressure tester, I can get one tonight or in the morning, if I can find one.

Any advise on how to use a pressure tester? I never have before....

 

Ditto"
If you haven't downloaded a free copy of a Rave CD, shop manual, do that and see their directions.

 

you can get one at any of the big auto parts store, they will let you borrow it for a deposit.
Simply make sure the cooling system is full, the pressure tester replaces your radiator cap, then pump the system up to 18 psi and watch the gauge if it drops you have leak, start looking.
Personally I also pressure test after all repairs I make to the cooling system.

 

THAT is the kind of info I need! Thank you so much for the explanation and the video - heck, I can do that!

Calling the big auto parts places now to see if I can get one tonight.

 

Two things, after you pump up the system, keep it that way for 15 minutes plus. Also when trying to find a coolant pressure tester, make sure you get the large kit that has 12 plus adapters o you will have the correct size for your truck, the small kit only has a couple of adapters and they don't work.

 

timing chain cover gasket can be tricky in the way that they leak, in my case it was leaking on the top but spray under the ac compressor giving the appearance of an intake gasket failure. a flash light , inspection mirror and news paper will be your best friends on this search.